A Figure of Salvation: What Can People Learn From Hosea
Hosea had one of the most intriguing stories ever told. As a figure of salvation and a symbol of God’s faithfulness, what else can people gain from reading his story?
“Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the Lord.” – Hosea 1:2-3
The book of Hosea conveyed a complex story like no other. Despite being deep within the Biblical context and reflective of God’s love and will, his story was shrouded in contradicting values that Christianity has promoted. The book of Hosea is primarily a portrait of unfaithfulness in relationships, tackling consequential connections between partners, God, and His people.
A prophet would have borne the responsibility of proclaiming God’s judgment and issuing warnings in relation to people’s sins and repentance. But Hosea was given an assignment beyond this as God gave him the task of marrying a promiscuous woman named Gomer. A tale of adultery, idolatry, and reconciliation, Hosea’s story ultimately runs more profound than its premise, portraying God’s faithfulness and loving nature.
A Modern Take of Hosea, a Figure of Salvation
Joseph Descans recreates this Biblical classic and applies it to modern-day circumstances. His book, Hosea: The Prophet Who Married a Prostitute, revolves around the same premise as its forerunner. However, to reflect a more modernized outlook, the author paints Hosea’s life as a fictional romance between a wealthy entrepreneur and a prostitute.
Honoring the prophet’s life, this contemporary man still embodies the abilities and responsibilities of a holy seer, dedicated and obedient to God’s will. As a manifestation of his ability, he receives an instruction to marry Candace, a prostitute, and he sets out to fulfill this prophecy. However, their love story is riddled with challenges as the author lays out her shortcomings, spotlighting the temptations she faces and is overcome by. And just like its Biblical predecessor, Hosea: The Prophet Who Married a Prostitute is a story of forgiveness, as evidenced in the couple’s reconciliations.
The book of Hosea is the primary inspiration behind Joseph Descans’ contemporary novel.
But what about Hosea could have encouraged the author to create an entirely new world and birth characters likened to him and his story?
Lessons to Take From Hosea and His Journey
Underneath every story from the Bible is a lesson everyone can benefit from, and Hosea’s story isn’t an exception. As a figure of salvation, his story might be filled with promiscuity and destruction, but his story is still one brimming with values for everyone to learn from.
Throughout his journey, God remains beside Hosea, providing him with warnings. This is a reminder of God’s presence in everyone’s lives. But above this factor, here are other lessons this figure of salvation instills within everyone.
God Will Be Faithful Even With People’s Unfaithfulness
Hosea’s marriage in the biblical account represents God’s love for His people. Although Hosea was provided with an unfaithful wife, who constantly ran away from him and entertained temptation, Hosea remained faithful. He stuck by her side and continually welcomed her home after every debacle.
People are likened to the image of Hosea’s wife. They chase after worldly things, welcome the temptations that come with them, forgetting the love and care God provides. However, like Hosea, God continues to love and protect. Despite people’s sins and questionable decisions, God remains faithful and intimately loving them.
Above everything, Hosea doesn’t demand his wife to change for his love. Instead, his love was already meant for her to take. This is also similar to God’s unconditional love. Despite people constantly falling victim to temptation, God doesn’t run out of love for them. Instead, He calls them to repentance while keeping His arms open for their return.
He Might Remain Faithful, but He Will Discipline the Unfaithful
Running through the biblical story of Hosea and his wife is the problem of idolatry among Israelis and pagan idols. Instead of letting them be, God warns them of judgment, but they refused to adhere to His warnings. Seeing the consequences of their choices, they turned their lives around and sought righteousness and the Lord’s forgiveness.
They might have repeatedly failed Him and His warnings, but God gave them his trust and welcomed them back in His arms. Again, their condition reflects people’s current disposition. Despite them constantly going against His will, He will readily welcome them once they repent and seek forgiveness.
God’s Love Runs Deep
This is no question. God loves His people profoundly and unconditionally.
In the final chapters of Hosea, the beauty of His love is showcased, unveiling His beautiful heart of gold. As a figure of salvation, Hosea’s story also manifests God’s mercy, blessings, and forgiveness after judgment. God loves His people deeply. Despite their repeated returns to idolatry, He still takes them back in His arms as long as they seek forgiveness.
Sin isn’t His most prominent enemy, but people’s refusal for repentance.
